No one likes a dog jumping all over them especially if the dog has wet muddy paws! Your guests will appreciate your dog much more if the dog has learned to keep four on the floor. Your dog will learn that she gets much more attention as well if her feet are on the floor not on the company.

There are several different methods to teach your dog that jumping up is not acceptable. We will cover 4 methods in this article.

For most methods of “Off” training it would be helpful if your dog knows the “Sit” command. You will want to replace the jumping up behavior with something that is acceptable to you. This also gives the dog a win option; if the dog chooses the win option she gets praise, therefore that option is more appealing to the dog.

The first method to try usually works for most soft tempered dogs. The rough ones do not normally get the idea with this method. For the soft tempered dog try turning away and/or leaving the area when the dog jumps on you. Some soft dogs will be devastated that you left and will eventually make the connection between jumping up and you’re leaving. This method does not teach the dog what IS acceptable; the “Sit”.

Another method to get the dog to understand jumping up is not pleasant is to make the dog uncomfortable when she jumps up. One way to do this is to grab the front feet when the dog jumps on you and hold them until the dog really wants to get away. Do not hold the feet close to your body; you don’t want the dog making contact with you. This method works for small dogs and softer tempered dogs. Stronger willed dogs will bite at your hands to make you let go. When you let go of the dogs feet command “off” in a firm voice then command “sit” in a milder tone. Once the dog is sitting you may give praise. I like to praise with the words “good off”.

The third method works for all but the smallest dogs but takes good timing on your part. When the dog starts the jump and preferably before the feet make contact with your body, bring your knee up quickly. Do not kick out at the dog, just lift your knee. Your knee should connect with the dog’s chest area bumping her back. At the moment she connects with your knee command “off” in a firm voice then command “sit” using a milder tone. Once the dog is sitting praise with “good off”.

The fourth method is for small dogs or the dog that just does not get it with the other corrections. Place a choke chain or pinch collar on the dog and attach a 6’ lead. Step on the lead giving the dog enough room to stand or sit without pressure on the collar. If the dog tries to jump up she will correct herself. Do not acknowledge the dog when she is busy correcting herself. When she stops and is quiet for a few moments you may command her to “sit” and give her praise using “good off”. It may take a stubborn dog a few trials before they give up jumping but all dogs will get the idea after awhile.

A couple of important things to remember when teaching the dog not to jump on you are:

1- Don’t push the dog away with your hands. The dog thinks you are playing and will come back for more!

2- Use the command “OFF” not “down” if you are using that command for lie down.

3- Teach the dog how to greet by sitting instead of jumping up. The dog will learn not to jump more rapidly if you give her a way to gain your attention that is acceptable to you.

4- When you find the method that works for your dog have everyone who comes into contact with the dog (family/friends) use that correction. If everyone the dog meets does not allow jumping up that behavior will go away. If meeting someone on the street who wants to pet your dog use the foot on the leash method to keep the dog from jumping up or place the dog in a “sit” and keep your hands on the dog at all times to prevent jumping.

My advice is never use the “hold front paws and step on rear toes” method as seen in many training books! You cannot judge how much pressure you are putting on the dog’s toes and can cause severe injury!!